Estimate

Estimating is usually the first phase within the project. Estimating is often the most critical phase within the project, as correct estimating and bidding will result in obtaining the project contract. You can create an estimate project. For each estimate version, a complete estimate can be simulated.If the estimate is accepted, a bid can be created from the estimate version.

  • Estimate

    The estimate process prepares a proposal, a quotation, or a bid. The estimate consists of the sales price and information on the proposed scope. The estimate contains information on the project schedule and on the contract.

  • Estimate structures

    In estimates, estimate version structures are used to order or to classify the estimate. In many cases, you can use multiple estimate-version structures to create different classifications of the estimate data.

  • Estimate line levels

    An estimate level type determines which estimate lines are used to aggregate totals for a bottom-up structure. An estimate level type determines the top-down amount of a structural element.

  • Launch estimate to budget

    You can use this option when the work can begin, the bid is accepted, or when you must order items that have long lead times.

  • Using a bid

    For the preparation of a bid, you must select particular lines of an estimate version. To store the documents that are associated with an estimate, use the standard document management functionality. These templates include a Microsoft Word template, Project Plan, CAD drawings, Microsoft Excel calculation sheets, or any other documents related to the estimate.

  • Aggregate amounts for primary structural elements

    Aggregate amounts for a range of projects. The totals of the primary structural elements are updated before the totals are aggregated for the primary structure. The process aggregates the amounts in the project currency and all home currencies.

  • Verify top-down estimate consistency

    Verify whether the top-down estimate based on the primary structure is consistent for either for the specified substructure or the entire structure. The top-down consistency verification is performed for one estimate version only.

  • Prepare bid

    Select which part of the estimate lines falls into a bid. You can select either the primary structure and the estimate lines linked to the structural elements, or select estimate lines that do not have a primary structure.

  • Bid Structure

    The bid functionality is extended with the Bid workbench, Additional information definition, Activities, Notes, and Bid structure.

    You can view the bid lines in a graphical browser framework (GBF). The bid lines are displayed based on the defined Primary Structure. You can select a part of the structure to view the data of the bid lines linked to the structural elements. The related amount, that is, the bid total or the total of the selected structural element is also displayed.

  • Bid and Contract

    An option is included to create a contract or contract line based on the bid.

  • Business partner specific additional information fields

    Additional Information fields are defined for specific tables. The user can include business partner specific additional information fields that defaults from the Bids (tpest3100m000) session to the Contract Deliverables (tppdm7100m100) session.

  • Bid Comparison

    The Bid Comparison (tpest3100m100) session is used to compare the calculated bid totals and the specified target bid amounts of two bids. The comparison is based on the total sales amounts, cost amounts, and profit margin, which can be done at the total (estimate) level or the structure level (for example, activity structure). This comparison can also be done at the element, activity, cost component level, and also any alternate structure.

  • Copy Actual Costs to Estimates

    The Copy Actual Costs to Estimates option is used to copy the actual costs of an existing project to the estimate lines of a new project. This is applicable only for the bottom-up estimate type.

  • Bid Workbench

    The bid workbench is used to extend support for the sales process. The workbench is displayed based on the status and also based on the expiry date of a bid. You can view the profit percentage and amount of the bid in a graph, in the Margin group box.

  • Tool

    The Item Type is extended with an option, Tool. The item of the type Tool can only be used for Estimate and Budget.

  • Sold-to BP

    The Sold-to Business Partner is defaulted from the estimate versions to the estimate lines . Infor LN retrieves the Sold-to BP specific Price Book information, if specified for the business partner in the Sales Price Matrices.

  • Tracking Information

    Tracking information is updated when estimate version/line is created or modified manually. This data is also updated based on the update processes and sessions.